| Butane |
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Physical Properties
Color - Colorless
Odor - Odorless
Density - \(0.02091 \; lbm/in^3 \;\)@\(\; 68 \; F^\circ \; (0.5788 \; g/cc\;\)@\(\;20 \; C^\circ)\)
Molar Mass - \(58.12 \; g/mol \;(58.12 \; g/mol)\)
Vapor Pressure - \(75.0 \; torr \;\)@\(\; -56.4 \; F^\circ \; (0.1000bar \;\)@\(\; -49.1 \; C^\circ)\)
Chemical Properties
Chemical Formula - \(C_4H_{10}\)
State of Matter - Gas
Flammability - Highly
Thermal Properties
Melting Point - \(-216.4 \; F^\circ \; (-138.4 \; C^\circ)\)
Boiling Point - \(30.2 \; F^\circ \; (-1 \; C^\circ)\)
Flash Point - \(-76 \; F^\circ \; (-60 \; C^\circ)\)
Autoignition Temp. - \(761 \; F^\circ \; (405 \; C^\circ)\)
LFL - \(1.8\)%
UFL - \(8.5\)%
PEL - \(800 \; ppm\)
Heat of Fusion - \(34.49 \; BTU/lb \; (80.18 \; J/g)\)
Heat of Vaporization - \(166.1 \; BTU/lb \; (386.1 \; J/g)\)
Thermal Conductivity - \(0.114 \; BTUin/hrft^3F^\circ \;\)@\(\; 14.5 \; psi \; 80.3 \; F^\circ \; (0.0164 \; W/mK \;\)@\(\; 0.100 \; MPa \; 26.9 \; C^\circ )\)
Optical Properties
Refractive Index - \(1.3362 \;\)@\(\; 68 \; F^\circ \; \lambda \; 589.3 \; mm \; (1.3362 \;\)@\(\; 20 \; C^\circ \; \lambda \; 589.3 \; mm)\)
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Butane is an alkane hydrocarbon with the chemical formula \(C_4H_{10}\). It exists as two structural isomers: n-butane, which has a straight chain of four carbon atoms, and isobutane, which has a branched structure. Both isomers are highly flammable, colorless gases that are easily liquefied under pressure and readily vaporize at room temperature.
Butane is widely used as a fuel, particularly in cigarette lighters, portable stoves, and as a component of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It also serves as a propellant in various aerosol sprays and is an important feedstock in the chemical industry for producing other chemicals like ethylene and butadiene, which are used in the manufacture of plastics and synthetic rubber. While useful, it is crucial to handle butane with care due to its extreme flammability and the risk of explosion or "sudden sniffing death" if intentionally misused through inhalation.
